Dubai: More than 50,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony ‘Marhaba NaMo’ in Dubai today at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, on the second day of his UAE visit.
The stage has been set, the red carpets have been rolled out, and Dubai is eagerly waiting to cheer the Indian premier on his arrival. Gates open at 4pm for the mega event; PM will begin address at 8pm
Consul General of India Anurag Bhushan called the occasion a ‘momentous and stand-alone visit’, as the PM is expected to return to India after addressing the UAE residents.
Bhushan along with organising committee member and head of New Medical Centre Group B.R.Shetty, and convenor for events and one of the chief organisers and member of the Indian Community Welfare Committee (ICWC) K. Kumar briefed the media on Sunday about strict protocols, which have been put in place for the attendees of the mega event.
The event will open with a cultural programme by artists from the UAE and India, which will see the same show performed at Hanover, during his Germany visit.
Gates to the stadium open at 4pm and the cultural programme will begin at 6.30pm. Modi is expected to address the Indian community at 8pm.
Bhushan said: “The gates will close at 6.45pm and no one will be allowed to leave the venue during Modi’s speech.”
Kumar said that security has been beefed up and people attending the event are expected to cooperate with volunteers and organisers.
“Handbags, water bottles and food will not be allowed into the venue. Free glasses of water and bottles of tender coconut water will be provided to attendees.”
“Over 40,000 traditional hand fans will be distributed to those attending as well,” added Kumar.
Attendees are required to reach the venue as early as possible since seating will be made available on a first come, first serve basis. Shuttle buses to the venue will only be available from the Dubai Internet City Metro station. There will be trip from the metro station to the stadium every 10 minutes.
“The buses will start plying from the metro station at 4pm and 15,000 passengers will be ferried in a span of 2 hours,” said Kumar.
The buses have been organised by the Roads & Transportation Authority (RTA) of Dubai.
The stadium has a capacity to seat 30,000 people and the grounds outside can hold the remaining 20,000 people. The cricket stadium pitch will hold 10,000 guests who have purchased the Gold, Silver, and Platinum passes.
The Consul General said: “All Dubai government departments have collaborated with the organisers to make this event as seamless as possible.”
Huge LCD screens, video walls, and augmented reality screens have also been installed inside and outside the two grounds outside the stadium.
“We are trying to make the visit as comfortable as we can for those attending,” said BR Shetty, the organising manager of Marhaba Dubai.
Ample parking space for 4,000 cars have been provided at the venue.
Kumar told motorists: “There is only a single entry point into the stadium, which is from the North gate of the stadium.”
All attendees must carry their registration papers from Namoindubai.ae along with the hard copy of the identification cards that was used at the time of registration.
No cameras, video cameras, and other electronic equipment will be allowed into the venue.
“People must not bring hand bags. We suggest that they carry only their required documents and a wallet,” said Shetty.
